DSHS says don't eat Neches River fish

The Texas Department of State Health Services has issued a fish consumption advisory for portions of the Neches River Basin, including Sam Rayburn Reservoir and B.A. Steinhagen Reservoir. The advisory covers six species of fish caught between the State Highway 7 bridge west of Lufkin downstream to the U.S. Highway 96 bridge near Evadale and both reservoirs. It was issued after laboratory testing of fish samples found elevated levels of mercury and dioxins.

DSHS recommends people limit or avoid consumption of the following species because eating contaminated fish can be a health hazard: blue catfish larger than 30 inches, flathead catfish, gar (all species), largemouth bass larger than 16 inches, smallmouth buffalo, and spotted bass larger than 16 inches.

DSHS recommends children under 12 and women who are nursing, pregnant or who may become pregnant avoid eating the affected species because the nervous systems of unborn and young children are particularly susceptible to the health effects of toxins. Previous advisories for the Neches River area based on high mercury levels had recommended children limit consumption of particular fish. Recent testing prompted DSHS to recommend children under 12 not eat the affected fish at all.

Elevated levels of mercury and dioxins in fish do not pose a health risk for people swimming or participating in other water recreation activities.

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